the catalyst podcast

What's the Catalyst for Your Business?

Welcome to The Catalyst for the Trades Podcast, where we ignite conversations that drive growth, innovation, and leadership in the trades industry. Hosted by Jennifer Bagley, and Chuck Staszkiewicz, each episode dives into the strategies, stories, and successes that empower businesses to thrive in this ever-evolving market. Whether you're an owner, manager, or up-and-coming leader, they are here to provide the insights and inspiration you need to stay ahead of the curve. So tune in, take notes, and get ready to elevate your business to new heights. This is The Catalyst for the Trades—let’s freaking go!

a close up of a microphone on a black background
most recent

Listen Up: Our Latest Discussions

Episode 15

From the Call Center to the C-Suite: Denise Swafford's Journey of Scaling Success in the Trades

Join us for an inspiring episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, featuring Denise Swafford, Chief Commercial Officer at P1 Service Group. Denise shares her incredible career journey, starting from humble beginnings in the call center to reaching the C-suite.

With
Denise Swafford
P1 Service Group
With

Listen On:

Episode 14

How a Navy Veteran Created One of New Jersey's Trusted Plumbing Brands

Join us on this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades as we sit down with Ray Reyes, a former Navy veteran turned successful plumbing entrepreneur. Ray shares his inspiring journey of building New Jersey Pipe Doctor from the ground up, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way.

With
Ray Reyes
New Jersey Pipe Doctor
With

Listen On:

Episode 13

Building Your Business with an Exit in Mind: Strategic Insights for Home Service Entrepreneurs

In this episode of "Catalyst for the Trades," hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz dive deep into the strategic planning necessary for building a home service business with a future sale or exit in mind. The hosts engage in a rich discussion about vital business practices inspired by recent conversations with successful entrepreneurs from the trades industry.

With
With

Listen On:

Episode 12

Navigating Industry Transformation: AI, Consumer Trends, and Strategic Business Models

Join host Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group, and her guests, Darren Dixon, CEO and founder of fyxify, and George Donaldson, CEO of Fix-It Group, as they discuss the transformative landscape of the home services industry in this engaging episode. The conversation delves into the significant shifts driven by AI technologies, consumer behavior changes, and evolving business models.

With
Darren Dixon
fyxify
With
George Donaldson
Fix-It Group

Listen On:

Episode 11

Unleashing Success: Trey McWilliams on Mastering Growth and Leadership in Home Services

Join Jennifer Bagley as she hosts Trey McWilliams, CEO of McWilliams & Sons and founder of Blue Cardinal Home Services Group, in this enlightening episode of "Catalyst for the Trades." Discover the journey of this third-generation leader as he shares his insights into scaling a home services business with a strong focus on people and leadership development.

With
Trey McWilliams
McWilliams & Sons
With

Listen On:

Episode 10

Mastering the Trades: Mark Evans on Building Wealth, Legacy, and Financial Freedom

In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz sit down with Mark Evans, a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and wealth-building expert. Mark shares his journey in the trades and breaks down the essential steps for creating long-term financial success.

With
Mark Evans
MARK EVANS DM
With

Listen On:

Episode 9

Building a $100M Business: George Donaldson on Scaling, Leadership, Exit Strategies in Home Services

In this episode of "Catalyst for the Trades," hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz are joined by George Donaldson, a leading figure in the home services industry known for scaling the Fix It Group from $1.7 million to $100 million. The trio dives deep into the crucial strategies and considerations for home services businesses looking to scale or plan an exit.

With
George Donaldson
Fix-It Group
With

Listen On:

Episode 8

Adapting to Consumer Behavior: Leveraging AI and Digital Tools in the Trades

In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, Jennifer Bagley sits down with Josh Koplin, co-founder of Eden, to explore the evolving landscape of consumer behavior in the trades industry. The discussion focuses on how businesses can leverage digital tools, AI-driven consumer experiences, and innovative content strategies to gain a competitive edge.

With
Josh Koplin
EDEN
With

Listen On:

Episode 7

From Comedy to AI How Sebastian Jimenez is Revolutionizing Sales in the Trades

In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, we engage in an enlightening conversation with Sebastian Jimenez, CEO of Rilla. Drawing striking parallels between tech entrepreneurship and stand-up comedy, Sebastian delves into the essence of trial, failure, and iteration as the cornerstone of success in both fields.

With
Sebastian Jimenez
Rilla
With

Listen On:

Episode 6

WOW Every Call: The Key to Customer Experience Excellence

What does it take to turn your customer service team into a powerhouse for growth? In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades podcast, Brigham Dickinson, founder and president of Power Selling Pros, shares his proven strategies for transforming call-handling into a competitive advantage.

With
Brigham Dickinson
Power Selling Pros
With

Listen On:

Episode 5

Igniting Sales Success: Devon Murphy on Reclaiming Lost Opportunities

In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, we sit down with Devon Murphy, co-owner of Reignite Sales Solutions, to explore how businesses can unlock untapped potential by reigniting past leads and optimizing their appointment-setting processes.

With
Devon Murphy
Reignite Sales Solutions
With

Listen On:

Episode 4

From Chaos to Clarity: How EOS Transforms Your Business

In this insightful episode of The Catalyst for the Trades Podcast, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with guest Dwight Miller to dive deep into transformative strategies for entrepreneurs and business owners.

With
Dwight Miller
EOS Worldwide
With

Listen On:

Episode 3

Embracing Change: The Future of Leadership

In this episode, Jennifer Bagley, Mary Belden-McGrath, and Eric McGrath discuss the transformative power of leadership training and the importance of adapting to change in a rapidly evolving business landscape

With
Mary Belden-McGrath and Eric McGrath
Driven Leadership
With

Listen On:

Episode 2

Maximizing Deductions & Motivations: Year-End Tax Strategies and Team Engagement

In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, host Chuck Staszkiewicz sits down with Erik Flegal, founder and CEO of Family Fortune Financial, to tackle some of the most pressing topics for trade business owners.

With
Erik Flegal
Family Fortune Financial
With

Listen On:

Episode 1

Redefining the Game: The Future of Home Services

In this kickoff episode of Catalyst for the Trades, with Jennifer Bagley, Chuck Staszkiewicz and Crystal Williams, we're joined by our guest Darren Dixon, CEO and founder of fyxify, to explore how technology and market trends are reshaping the home services industry. Darren shares his insights on...

With
Darren Dixon
fyxify
With

Listen On:

about us

Our story: We’re More Than Just Voices

The Catalyst
Catalyst
about us

Our story: We’re More Than Just Voices

This podcast was born from a shared passion: empowering home service business owners with the tools and strategies they need to thrive. Jennifer Bagley, and Chuck Staszkiewicz, bring a wealth of experience from different corners of the industry, creating a one-of-a-kind resource for actionable advice and fresh perspectives.

Jennifer Bagley’s expertise in digital marketing ensures every conversation includes cutting-edge insights into technology, online visibility, and staying ahead in a competitive landscape. Her 12 Step Roadmap to Accelerated Results serves as a foundation for helping businesses understand not just what they should do but how to do it effectively.

Chuck Staszkiewicz offers the operational perspective, sharing lessons from scaling All Hours Plumbing into a $20M leader. His hands-on experience in growth strategies, team-building, and leadership adds depth to discussions about running a successful business in the home services sector.

Together, these three leaders blend their expertise to deliver practical, relatable, and forward-thinking conversations tailored to the unique challenges of home service businesses. Whether it’s mastering marketing, scaling operations, or planning for the future, this podcast is here to guide, inspire, and help you grow.

30 Years Combined Experience in the Home Services Industry

Our Guests Are Industry Leaders

Highlighting the Catalyst of Each Business in the Trades

testimonials

In Their Words: What Our Listeners Say

Voices that inspire: Real stories from our listeners.

"The Catalyst Podcast is a must-listen for anyone in the trades industry! The insights from industry leaders have been invaluable to my business growth. I look forward to every episode."
Mark R., HVAC Business Owner
Avatar

Jennifer Lee

CEO, LeeTech Solutions

"I love how the Catalyst Podcast dives into real-world challenges and solutions for trades professionals. The guests are always inspiring, and I’ve learned so much to apply to my own work."
Sarah P., Plumbing Contractor
Avatar

Alex Bennett

Marketing Manager, VisionaryVentures

"This podcast feels like having a mentor in your pocket. The stories and advice shared are both practical and motivating. Highly recommended for anyone in the trades!"
Jason T., Electrical Services Manager
Avatar

Maya Patel

Product Manager, TechEdge Labs

"Every episode is packed with actionable tips and strategies for growing a trades business. It’s clear the Catalyst team is passionate about supporting our industry. Thank you!"
Emily D., Landscaping Business Owner
Avatar

Mark Williams

COO, MarketSense Analytics

"I’ve been in the trades for 15 years, and this podcast is one of the best resources I’ve come across. It’s relatable, insightful, and always leaves me feeling motivated."
David L., Roofing Contractor
Avatar

Nataly Wotton

Position, Company name

"The Catalyst Podcast has introduced me to new ideas and trends in the trades industry. It’s become my go-to source for staying ahead in this competitive field."
Karen S., General Contractor
Avatar

Nataly Wotton

Position, Company name

"I appreciate the honesty and transparency of the conversations on the Catalyst Podcast. They don’t shy away from the tough topics, and that’s what makes it so valuable."
Brian K., Painting Services Provider
Avatar

Nataly Wotton

Position, Company name

"I’ve shared episodes of the Catalyst Podcast with my entire team because it’s that good! The advice on leadership and business growth is top-notch."
Jennifer M., HVAC Business Manager
Avatar

Nataly Wotton

Position, Company name

"The Catalyst Podcast is like a masterclass for trades professionals. I’ve learned so much from the expert guests they bring on. Can’t wait for the next episode!"
Carlos V., Plumbing Specialist
Avatar

Nataly Wotton

Position, Company name

"The conversations on the Catalyst Podcast are always fresh, engaging, and relevant. It’s helped me rethink parts of my business and inspired me to make positive changes."
Megan W., Electrical Contractor
Avatar

Nataly Wotton

Position, Company name

Latest episodes direct to your inbox

Let's freaking go!

By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.